object method returns by reference

[HardCoreMore]

Hi all,

 

Why when i set my method to returns by reference its giving me a notice that only variables should return by reference while where is not set to return by reference it don't.

 

Fro example:

 

interface i
{
function &m();
}

class a implements i 
{
public function &m()
{
	return $v;
}
}


$v = new a();
$v->m();

 

So i just return empty $v. Is this a good practice or should i just ignore the notice